Universal ski and snowboard binding

ABSTRACT

A universal binding apparatus for detachably securing footwear to an article is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base plate and a foot plate. The base plate attaches to the article while the foot plate attaches to the footwear. The base plate includes a toe latch, a heel latch, and a first release. The toe latch is disposed at a front portion of the base plate while the heel latch is disposed at a rear portion of the base plate such that the first release is also disposed between the toe latch and the heel latch. The first release enables either the toe latch or the heel latch to be disengaged from the foot plate. The foot plate includes a toe support and a heel support. The toe support is disposed at a front portion of the shoe plate similar to the front portion of the base plate and while the heel support is disposed at a rear portion of the shoe plate. The shoe plate removably attaches to the base plate with the toe support engaged with the toe latch and the heel support engaged with the heel latch. The first release operates to disengage either the toe latch or the heel latch or both from the foot plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ski bindings and, more specifically,the present invention relates to a universal ski binding that can beadapted for multiple purposes such as alpine skis, snowboards, waterskis, wakeboards and the like.

Snowboarding, skiing, and other sliding, boarding, and rolling sportsare increasing in popularity as a sport and recreational activity.Snowboarding is nearly as popular as skiing. Unfortunately, the safetyaspects of snowboarding equipment lag behind that developed for skiing,particularly with respect to the binding mechanisms provided to hold thesnowboard to the feet of the rider. The form of snowboard binding whichis currently most broadly used includes two foot plates fastened to thesnowboard, each foot plate having a plurality of straps adapted tofasten around a respective boot of the rider. In use, the rider placeshis or her boot clad feet on the foot plates and tightens the strapsaround the boots to secure the board to the rider's legs. In order toremove the board the rider must manually and individually unfasten eachof the straps to release the snowboard bindings from the rider's boots.Other types of fasteners and bindings are also available, which includeplate bindings and step-in bindings.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has releasedstatistics concerning snowboard safety, which indicates that themajority of snowboarding fatalities have resulted from suffocation indeep snow. With the snowboard unreleasably attached to the rider's feet,the length of the snowboard can act as an anchor in the event of a snowslide or avalanche, and once covered in snow the rider may not be ableto reach the binding straps in order to remove the board. It maytherefore be desirable for a snowboard binding to enable the rider'slegs to be released from attachment to the board in the event ofabnormal forces being applied, such as may occur in the case of a severefall or an avalanche.

Ski bindings are traditionally designed to release the ski from the skiboot if abnormal forces are applied between the ski boot and skibinding, so that those forces are not transmitted to the skier's legwhere they may cause injury. It would be advantageous, therefore, forsnowboard bindings to have a similar safety feature, such that thelikelihood of injury is decreased in the event of a severe fall,particularly one in which the body or legs of the snowboarder twistrelative to the board. In the case of a snowboard binding release,preferably both feet should be released from the board during the fall,even if only one binding initially senses abnormal forces, since withonly one leg secured to the snowboard the potential for injury to thatleg is greatly increased.

Another difficulty associated with snowboard bindings occurs where therider wishes to use a conventional ski lift or tow to return to the topof a mountain slope. In order to negotiate queues of people and the likethe rider must generally free one foot from the board to maneuver intoposition to mount the ski lift. After alighting from the ski lift thefree boot must then be re-fastened to the snowboard. The constant cycleof unfastening and re-fastening the conventional binding straps is bothphysically exhausting and time consuming, and it would therefore bedesirable for an improved snowboard binding to enable easier fixing andrelease of at least one boot from the board when desired.

Not only is there a great safety concern with respect to the skibindings used with snowboards, but often most skiers tend to ski notonly with a snowboard but also with alpine skis. It becomes veryexpensive to maintain a set of skis with bindings that are distinct fromone another that do not allow any universal interchange. For example, anindividual may want to ski in the morning using alpine skis but laterski in the afternoon on a snowboard. In order to do so, the individualwould have to change the bindings and ski boots being worn in order touse the alpine skis or the snowboard. Accordingly, it would be a greatbenefit to provide a universal binding that would be as efficient andapplicable for alpine skis as it is for snowboards. Further, thisuniversal binding should also be adaptable to other ski activities,including, but not limited to water skiing and other snow skiactivities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a universal binding apparatus fordetachably securing footwear to an article is disclosed. The apparatusincludes a base plate and a foot plate. The base plate attaches to thearticle while the foot plate attaches to the footwear. The base plateincludes a toe latch, a heel latch, and a first release. The toe latchis disposed at a front portion of the base plate while the heel latch isdisposed at a rear portion of the base plate such that the first releaseis also disposed between the toe latch and the heel latch. The firstrelease enables either the toe latch or the heel latch to be disengagedfrom the foot plate. The foot plate includes a toe support and a heelsupport. The toe support is disposed at a front portion of the shoeplate similar to the front portion of the base plate and while the heelsupport is disposed at a rear portion of the shoe plate. The shoe plateremovably attaches to the base plate with the toe support engaged withthe toe latch and the heel support engaged with the heel latch. Thefirst release operates to disengage either the toe latch or the heellatch or both from the foot plate.

In an alternative embodiment, the base plate also includes a secondrelease, disposed between the toe latch and the heel latch on a sideopposite the first release, that operates to release either the toelatch or the heel latch that is not operated by the first release.

The universal binding apparatus is designed for use with such skiapparatus as snowboards, straight skis, water skis, wakeboards, and anyother type of water or snow sport. Further, the invention can beutilized on roller skis where quick release and universal bindingfeatures are desired.

Both the toe latch and the heel latch may be independently adjusted toprovide optimal release pressures suitable to the user of the article.Several springs are utilized to provide the release force necessary tomake sure that the binding binds the footwear to the article, but alsorelease in an emergency situation or when the user desires to bereleased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially exploded perspective view of theuniversal binding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the inside mechanism utilizedin the universal binding system where the toe and heel plates are in anopen or released position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the same perspective view as FIG. 2, but representsthe toe and heel kick plates to be in a secured position.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the universal binding apparatus accordingto claim 1 but illustrates the first release in a full release position;

FIG. 5 illustrates the same side plan view of FIG. 4, but the firstrelease is in a latched position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the top plate of FIG. 1 as secured andintegrated within a footwear, such as a ski boot.

FIG. 7 illustrates the universal binding apparatus as implemented on asnow or wake board.

FIG. 8 illustrates the universal binding apparatus as incorporated in awater ski design.

FIG. 9 illustrates a first embodiment of an exoskeleton support inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exoskeleton supportin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the base plate according tothe present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the binding system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates how the top plate can release from the bottom plateof the binding system depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates the universal binding apparatus as incorporated in aroller board apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

A universal ski binding apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 1–5. Theuniversal binding apparatus 10 is illustrated for use with a flat oralpine ski 12, which has attached to it a releasable base binding orplate 14 that secures a boot or footwear 16 to ski 12 via a secondsecuring or top plate 18.

The universal ski binding 10 makes both snowboard and ski bindingsreleasable. It serves as an interface that fits between a snowboard anda snowboard binding or a ski and a ski binding, respectively, to allowthem to release the rider from the board at a preset pressure on impact.Further, the rider can perform a quick release via a quick release leverthat has been heretofore lacking in the prior art. This enables areduction in injuries and an increased safety level and performance inboth snowboarding and skiing. Further, it provides vertical lift foradded carving leverage and lessened toe and hill drag in the snow andfatigue to the rider commonly associated with prior binding systems. Therelease mechanism is also able to release at all required angles via thenovel design interaction of the release surfaces of the mounting plateand the securing top plate. Importantly, the universal snowboard and skibinding provides multiple angles of release, which offers greater safetythan the limited angles of release on current ski and snowboardbindings.

Base plate 14 further includes a toe kick latch 20 and a heel kick latch22 that both slide forward or backward relative to the orientation ofski 12 in order to secure top plate 18 within base plate 14. A firstrelease lever 24 serves to disengage toe kick latch 20 while a secondrelease lever 26 serves to disengage heel kick latch 22. Top plate 18engages the base plate 14 via a first or toe support 28 and a second orheel support 30, respectively. Both toe kick latch 20 and heel kicklatch 22 are spring loaded so that when a sufficient force is applied totop plate 18, such as when a skier falls, the toe kick latch 20 or heelkick latch 22 will travel a sufficient enough distance to release itsrespective toe support 28 or heel support 30. This releases the topplate and frees the skier from possible bodily injury or propertydamage.

Additionally, with the platform provided by the binding system 10,snowboarders and skiers can eliminate the need for risers or “gaspedals” normally used to reduce toe and heel drag. For example, inskiing, traditional bindings place the ski boot right on the surface ofthe ski, which can lead to drag as the skier cuts sharply for a turn.Risers have been used to elevate the ski boot above the top surface ofthe ski, thereby reducing or eliminating drag. These risers are nolonger necessary when the binding apparatus 10 is utilized instead.

The tension for the springs that control the force on toe latch 20 andheel latch 22 is adjustable via an adjusting screw 32 and 34,respectively; Each screw 32 and 34 may be turned with either an Allenwrench or a screwdriver, such as a flat head or a Phillips, so thatproper tension desired by the user can be quickly achieved. To protectthe spring and latching mechanism, a cover plate 36 is firmly securedatop the base plate 14 and is supported by cover support tabs 37. Coversupport tabs 37 are integrated within base plate 14.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate first a release position (FIG. 2) and then asecure position (FIG. 3). It is noted that the kick latches 20 and 22move in opposite directions along the same line of engagement in orderto secure top plate 18.

Each kick latch 20 and 22, as previously stated, is held within a fixedposition by release levers 24 and 26, respectively. First release lever24 causes toe kick latch 20 to release and disengage the top plate 18when lifted upwardly. Second release lever 26 operates in the samemanner for releasing heel kick latch 22. Release levers 24 and 26 allowthe rider conveniently to release him self while in deep powder or inany other situation. A lanyard or cord can be attached to either releaselever 24 or 26 so that the rider can pull on the cord from a distance inorder to release the rider from the board.

Once one of the kick plates has been released either in a fall or by oneof the release lever 24 or 26, the rider can then reengage the kicklatch 20 or 22 by simply kicking them in the retaining position towardsthe main body of the bottom plate 14. This feature allows the rider toreengage the bindings without needing to bend over or sit down in thesnow, which then allows the rider to step back into the bindingapparatus without difficulty. Kick latches 20 and 22 slide back so thatrelease levers 24 and 26 are held in place via release notches 25 and27, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 illustrates theposition of toe kick latch 20 in the released position while FIG. 5illustrates the kick latches 20 and 22 engaging the top plate 18.

Each kick latch 20 and 22 further includes a recess 21, which isutilized to retain or hold toe support 28 or heel support 30 in placewhen kick latches 20 and 22 are moved to their latch position.

Toe kick latch 20 is actually part of a kick plate 38 as shown in FIGS.2 and 3. Kick plate 38 is held in place within base plate 14 via a pairof set screws 44, which allow kick plate 38 to slide between a first andsecond position. Likewise, heel kick latch 22 is part of a kick plate39, which can slide freely, but is held in place via set screws 46. Setscrews 46 are identical to set screws 44. Each kick plate 38 and 39 isdesigned to be identical in configuration, which simplifies production,assembly and replacement or repair work.

The base plate 14 further includes several sets of springs, which areused to provide tension and force for holding the latches 20 and 22 inposition and enable them to release under desired conditions. A firstset of springs includes springs 40 and 42. Springs 40 and 42 serve tobias the kick plates 20 and 22, respectively, opposite one another. Thelarge set of springs 40 and 42 control the release tension as well. Thenext set of springs 45 and 47 are placed within spring retainers 49 and51, respectively. Springs 45 and 47 serve to control the lateralpressure on the release levers 24 and 26. The last set of springs 50ride in shallow cavities etched into the under surface of cover 36.Springs 50 support the base plate cover 36 and urge the release lever 24and 26 in place, below notches 25 and 27, respectively, once the latches20 and 22 are moved into their retention orientation.

Each main spring 40 and 42 is held in position by a binding releasetension shaft 43, which allows the spring to be compressed for a giventension as well as secures the release lever 24 and 26 in combinationwith the kick latches 20 and 22, respectively. A cam 48 is also moveablysecured on binding release tension shaft 43 and operates with therelease plate to adjust the release tension of either kick plate 38 orkick plate 39 when they are engaged with the release levers 24 or 26. Asthe tension adjustment screw 32 or 34 is turned, the cam 48 is retainedwithin notches formed in part of the release levers 24 and 26 such thatthe spring force is increased or decreased, depending on how the screwsare turned. Binding release tension shaft 43 can have either righthanded or left handed threads. Retention tabs 53 are formed under eachof kick latch 20 and 22 and which engage plate 14 while engaging the topplate 18. Retention tabs 53 engage notches 72, shown in FIG. 11.

Cover plate 36 has a useful shape that allows it to rest against the topplate surfaces to eliminate problems with release consistency that aretypically caused by floating or “relative,” tension between the heel andtoe releases. Cover plate 36 is prevented from traveling against topplate 18; otherwise, the top plate would float on the cover. Cover plate36, therefore, serves as a cover retention and release surface.

The universal binding system 10 is designed to work well with verynarrow skis and the release plates are modified to be utilized with aconventional ski. A rider can then use the same universal binding systemon any other board that they may use which allows them to use the sameboots with either the skis or the snowboard. The system is also able towork with most soft bindings and boots as a firm exoskeleton, shown inFIG. 10, can be adapted to include a top plate 18 for binding withbottom plate 14.

The top plate 18 can be integrated with a footwear article such as aboot 16 shown in FIG. 6. Further, plate 18 may be secured to the bottomof boot 16 via a plurality of set screws or other attachment means suchas glue or bonding. Further, retention supports 28 and 30 may beremovable for replacement should they either wear out or strongersupports are necessary for more advanced skiing techniques.

FIG. 7 illustrates the use of and placement of base plates 14 on asnowboard 110. The orientation of each base plate 14 may be adjustedabout a given circle, which is described more fully with reference toFIG. 11 below. The base plate 14 may also be attached to a water ski 120as illustrated in FIG. 8. A wake board, which as a similar configurationas that as the snowboard 110, can also incorporate the binding apparatus10 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a detachable exoskeleton 150 thatfits on the outside of boot 16. Boot 16 includes top plate 18 mounted toits sole. The exoskeleton provides added rigidity and support to theskier's boot, if it is a soft boot, so that substantial torque can begenerated for the binding system to work. A strap, or other bindingdevice such as latches or clips or laces, is utilized to secure theexoskeleton to the boot. FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodimentto that of FIG. 9 wherein the exoskeleton has the top plate 18 attachedto its sole, instead of to the user's boot. In this embodiment theexoskeleton 150 has a rigid sole for mounting on plate 18.Alternatively, plate 18 can be integrated with exoskeleton 150 for astronger support and stiffer boot.

Additional features can include a board break or a leash used to securethe ski or board to the skier should the board or ski becomes detachedfrom the skier. A cable that connects to one of the wings and is withineasy reach of the rider can be pulled for quick release of the releaselever 28 or 30, or both, and top plate 18. The cable can extend eitherwithin the boot or exoskeleton or on the outside thereof.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top plan view of base plate 14 without any of thekick plate release assemblies, springs, retention rods, and the rest. Acircle of apertures 70 serve as mounting locations. Most snowboards,skiboards, and skis have standardized placement holes and the circle ofapertures 70 allows the base plate 14 to be mounted in any radius ororientation with respect to the standard holding apertures on thesnowboard. It should be noted that the base plate 14 can also includeapertures for securing the base plate to a skiboard or water ski boardin standard apertures typically found on the skiboards themselves.Notches 72 are formed on the bottom inside edges of base plate 14 andserve to receive retention tabs 53 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the binding releasesystem in accordance with the present invention. The binding system 200includes a first or top plate 202 and a second or bottom plate 204.Bottom plate 204 mounts to the sports equipment much in the same manneras does bottom plate 12. Bottom plate 204 includes bullet catch recesses206, which engage and retain top plate 202 in place upon insertion. Topplate 202 includes a pair of spring loaded bullet catches 208, which fitin recesses 206. A spring 210 provides outward biasing so that aselected force is required to remove top plate 202 from bottom plate204. A tension adjustment nut 212 fits on one end of the bullet catch208 and can be turned so as to increase or decrease the tension placedon spring 210.

FIG. 13 illustrates how top plate 202 can twist in a plane horizontal tobottom plate 204 for release. Top plate 202 can also pull upwardly,providing a full range of release motion. Like the binding assembly 10described earlier, binding system 200 is also universal in that it canbe used on skis, snowboards, water skis, and other related sportsequipment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a roller board type apparatus 130 that has wheels orrollers 132 and a base plate 14, like that of FIG. 1. Roller board 130can be a turf board, mountain board, skateboard, or roller skis, or anyother roller board type apparatus.

In one embodiment, the universal binding system incorporates anintegrated boot, binding, and ski system, such as a snow ski orsnowboard system. The skis can also includes Z Ski line (trademark) ofskis and boards and well as Z sculptured or standard skis, Z twintipskis, Z water skis, Z wake boards, which are all offered by MillerSports International, of Utah, and other boards modified with an insertpattern that matches the base plate to allow easy switching betweensports and boards using the same binding or boots.

Not only can the binding system be utilized on snow skis, water skis, orsnowboards, but it may also be utilized on boards that either havewheels for rolling, riding, or other types of sliding boards. Forexample, year round ski training often utilize roller skis, which canincorporate the bindings. Skateboards can also incorporate the bindingsin certain applications. Other systems may include kite boards orsailboards.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application for the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may bedevised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intendedto cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the presentinvention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, itwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims.

1. A universal binding apparatus for detachably securing a footwear-typearticle to multiple different articles, the apparatus comprising: afirst plate that can attach to a first article and that comprises: a toeretaining latch, disposed at a front portion of the first plate; a heelretaining latch, disposed at a rear portion of the first plate; and afirst release, disposed between the toe retaining latch and the heelretaining latch, to disengage either the toe retaining latch or the heelretaining latch; a second plate that can attach to a second article notsecured to first plate and that comprises: a toe support, disposed at afront portion of the second plate; and a heel support, disposed at arear portion of the second plate, wherein the second plate is detachablysecured to the first plate with the toe support engaged within the toeretaining latch and the heel support engaged within the heel retaininglatch and wherein the first release operates to movably disengage eitherthe toe retaining latch or the heel retaining latch or both from thesecond plate, the second plate also being configured to interchangeablyand detachably secure to a third plate of a third article of a differenttype than the second article, the third plate being configured similarto the first plate to secure the second plate.
 2. A universal bindingapparatus for detachably securing a footwear-type article to a secondarticle, the apparatus comprising: a first plate that can attach toeither article and that comprises: a toe latch, disposed at a frontportion of the first plate; a heel latch, disposed at a rear portion ofthe first plate; and a first release, disposed between the toe latch andthe heel latch, to disengage either the toe latch or the heel latch; asecond plate that can attach to the other article not secured to thefirst plate and that comprises: a toe support, disposed at a frontportion of the second plate; and a heel support, disposed at a rearportion of the second plate, wherein the second plate is detachablysecured to the first plate with the toe support engaged with the toelatch and the heel support engaged with the heel latch, and wherein thefirst release operates to disengage either the toe latch or the heellatch or both from the second plate, wherein the first plate furthercomprises a second release, disposed between the toe latch and the heellatch on a side opposite the first release, and the first release iscoupled to the toe latch and the second release is coupled to the heellatch such that the first release controls the toe latch and the secondrelease controls the heel latch, the second plate also being configuredto interchangeably and detachably secure to a third plate of a thirdarticle of a different type than the second article, the third platebeing configured similar to the first plate to secure the second plate.3. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein thearticle is a snow ski and the footwear-type article comprises a snow skiboot.
 4. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2wherein the article comprises a snowboard and the footwear comprises asnowboard boot.
 5. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 1wherein the force used by the toe retaining latch to engage and releasethe toe support is adjustable.
 6. The universal binding apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the force used by the heel retaining latchto engage and release the heel support is adjustable.
 7. The universalbinding apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the toe retaining latchis spring biased in a first direction and operable between a firstposition and a second position, as controlled by the first release. 8.The universal binding apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the heellatch is spring biased in a first direction and operable between a firstposition and a second position, as controlled by the second release. 9.The universal binding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 furthercomprising a boot support that removably attaches to the footwear-typearticle.
 10. A universal binding apparatus for detachably securing afootwear to multiple different articles, the apparatus comprising: abase plate that attaches to a first article and that comprises: a firstretaining latch, disposed at a front or rear portion of the base plate;a second retaining latch, disposed at a front or rear portion of thebase plate opposite the first latch; and a first release, disposedbetween the first and second retaining latches, to disengage the firstretaining latch; a foot plate that removably attaches to the footwearand that comprises: a toe support, disposed at a front portion of thefoot plate; and a heel support, disposed at a rear portion of the footplate, wherein the foot plate is detachably secured to the base platewith the toe support engaged within either the first or second retaininglatch and the heel support engaged within either the second or firstretaining latch opposite the toe support and wherein the first releaseoperates to movably disengage the first retaining latch from the footplate, the foot plate also being configured to interchangeably anddetachably secure to a base plate of a second article of a differenttype than the first article, the base plate of the second article beingconfigured similar to the base plate of the first article to secure thefoot plate.
 11. A universal binding apparatus for detachably securing afootwear to multiple different articles, the apparatus comprising: abase plate that attaches to a first article and that comprises: a firstlatch, disposed at a front or rear portion of the base plate; a secondlatch, disposed at a front or rear portion of the base plate oppositethe first latch; and a first release, disposed between the first andsecond latches, to disengage the first latch; a foot plate thatremovably attaches to the footwear and that comprises: a toe support,disposed at a front portion of the foot plate; and a heel support,disposed at a rear portion of the foot plate, wherein the foot plate isdetachably secured to the base plate with the toe support engaged witheither the first or second latch and the heel support engaged witheither the second or first latch opposite the toe support and whereinthe first release operates to disengage the first latch from the footplate, wherein the base plate further comprises a second release,disposed between the front latch and the rear latch on a side oppositethe first release, wherein the first release is coupled to the firstlatch and the second release is coupled to the first latch such that thefirst release controls the first latch and the second release controlsthe second latch, the foot plate also being configured tointerchangeably and detachably secure to a base plate of a secondarticle of a different type than the first article, the base plate ofthe second article being configured similar to the base plate of thefirst article to secure the foot plate.
 12. The universal bindingapparatus according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the first article is asnow ski and the footwear comprises a snow ski boot.
 13. The universalbinding apparatus according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the articlecomprises a snowboard and the footwear comprises a snowboard boot. 14.The universal binding apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the forceused by the first retaining latch to engage and release the toe supportis adjustable.
 15. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 10wherein the force used by the second retaining latch to engage andrelease the heel support is adjustable.
 16. The universal bindingapparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first retaining latch isspring biased in a first direction and operable between a first positionand a second position, as controlled by the first release.
 17. Theuniversal binding apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the secondretaining latch is spring biased in a first direction and operablebetween a first position and a second position, as controlled by thesecond release.
 18. The universal binding apparatus according to claim13 wherein the footwear further comprises a boot support that removablyattaches to the snowboard boot and to the foot plate.
 19. A universalbinding apparatus for detachably securing a footwear to multipledifferent articles, the apparatus comprising: a base plate that canattach to the article and that comprises: a toe retaining latch,disposed at a front portion of the base plate; a heel retaining latch,disposed at a rear portion of the base plate; and a first release,disposed between the toe retaining latch and the heel retaining latch,to disengage either the toe retaining latch or the heel retaining latch;a foot plate that can attach to the footwear and that comprises: a toesupport, disposed at a front portion of the foot plate; and a heelsupport, disposed at a rear portion of the foot plate, wherein the footplate is detachably secured to the base plate with the toe supportengaged within the toe retaining latch and the heel support engagedwithin the heel retaining latch, and wherein the first release operatesto disengage either the toe retaining latch or the heel retaining latchor both from the foot plate, the foot plate also being configured tointerchangeably and detachably secure to a base plate of a secondarticle of a different type than the first article, the base plate ofthe second article being configured similar to the base plate of thefirst article to secure the foot plate.
 20. A universal bindingapparatus for detachably securing a footwear to an article, theapparatus comprising: a base plate that can attach to the article andthat comprises: a toe latch, disposed at a front portion of the baseplate; a heel latch, disposed at a rear portion of the base plate; and afirst release, disposed between the toe latch and the heel latch, todisengage either the toe latch or the heel latch; a foot plate that canattach to the footwear and that comprises: a toe support, disposed at afront portion of the foot plate; and a heel support, disposed at a rearportion of the foot plate, wherein the foot plate is detachably securedto the base plate with the toe support engaged with the toe latch andthe heel support engaged with the heel latch and wherein the firstrelease operates to disengage either the toe latch or the heel latch orboth from the foot plate, the base plate further comprises a secondrelease, disposed between the toe latch and the heel latch on a sideopposite the first release, wherein the first release is coupled to thetoe latch and the second release is coupled to the heel latch such thatthe first release controls the toe latch and the second release controlsthe heel latch, the foot plate also being configured to interchangeablyand detachably secure to a base plate of a second article of a differenttype than the first article, the base plate of the second article beingconfigured similar to the base plate of the first article to secure thefoot plate.
 21. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 19 or20 wherein the article is a snow ski and the footwear comprises a snowski boot.
 22. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 19 or20 wherein the article comprises a snowboard and the footwear comprisesa snowboard boot.
 23. The universal binding apparatus according to claim19 wherein the force used by the toe retaining latch to engage andrelease the toe support is adjustable.
 24. The universal bindingapparatus according to claim 19 wherein the force used by the heelretaining latch to engage and release the heel support is adjustable.25. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 19 wherein thetoe retaining latch is spring biased in a first direction and operablebetween a first position and a second position, as controlled by thefirst release.
 26. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 20wherein the heel latch is spring biased in a first direction andoperable between a first position and a second position, as controlledby the second release.
 27. The universal binding apparatus according toclaim 22 wherein the footwear further comprises a boot support thatremovably attaches to the snowboard boot and to the foot plate.
 28. Auniversal binding apparatus for detachably securing a footwear articleto a second article, comprising: a first plate that is attachable toeither article and that has a first biased retaining detent that canmove between a first position and a second position and a second biasedretaining detent biased in a direction opposite that of the first biasedretaining detent; a second plate that can attach to the other articlenot secured to first plate and that has a first detent receiving recesswherein the first biased retaining detent engages the first recess whenthe first plate is mated to the second plate and wherein the firstbiased retaining detent disengages the first recess when a release forceis applied to either the footwear article or the second article, thesecond plate further comprising a second recess placed a fixed distanceopposite the first recess and wherein the second biased retaining detentengages the second recess when the first plate is mated with the secondplate and disengages the second recess upon application of the releaseforce, the second plate also being configured to interchangeably anddetachably secure to a third plate of a third article of a differenttype than the second article, the third plate being configured similarto the first plate to secure the second plate.
 29. The universal bindingapparatus according to claim 28 wherein at least one of the first andsecond biased retaining detents comprises a bullet detent biased by aspring.
 30. The universal binding apparatus according to claim 28wherein the bias on at least one of the first and second biasedretaining detents is adjustable.